The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-07-07
GETTYSBURG.
The Blue and the Grey Celebrate
the Anniversary by
Hearty Beunion.
Exchange of Sentiments Between
Those Who Crossed Bay
cnets on That Field.

GxrTYsn=z=g, p" July Z.--Gettysburg
presents an animated scene tonight.
Houses are decorated with flags, ever
greens and bunting; the streets are bril-
liantly illuminated and thronged with
thousands of people. During the day
visitors arrived on all trains, and when
the Philadelphia brigade arrived, at 6
O'Clock, with 1000 more, the hotels and
boarding houses overlooked and quarters
we're as hard to find as they were twenty
four years ago.
Tonight at o'clock Mrs. General
Pickett arrived, accompanied by her son,
and was Immediately driven to Springs
hotel After securing quarters the Phila-
delphia brigade, escorted by the Grand
Army band of Gettysburg, marched to
Harrisburg depot to receive their guests.
At 1886 ringing cheer from the Phila-
delphia brigade was promptly and heart
lily answered by the well-known rebel
yell which announced that the visitors had
arrived, and 200 of Pickett's veterans
marched out and surrendered themselves
to the hospitality of their friends. AS the
procession moved along Chambersburg
street to the public squares, cheers and ap-
plause greeted them at every step.
The Confederates who were armed with
rockets, discha rged thin as they marched
along, proudly bearing their stars and
stripes in their midst-the only
flag in line-and responded
heartily to the greetings with
their peculiar battle yell, SO we'll known
here, to the great delight of the assembled
crowds. When the procession reached
the center of the square, the Union and
Confederate lines were drawn up facing
each other. The Confederate5 stepped
forward, saying:
"Here we are, once more together. Let
us shake hands. Let US trade coffee"
The bands played sway Down South
in Dixie"
Fireworks lit up the sky and all the
people cheered AS 9:35 p. m. the pro-
cession moved to the court house, where
the camp fires were held. The
doors were thrown open and
the band entered, followed by Pickett's
men. They proceeded to the front and
seated themselves in chairs. In a few
minutes the building was filled to over
flowing. Standing room could not be OBJ
tanned. When all was ready, Genera
Burns assisted Mrs. Gen. Pickett to the
stand, and, amid tremendous cheers
which shook the building, in
troduced her and her son
to the audience. She was visibly affected
and with difficulty restrained the tears
Whenever General Pickett's name was
mentioned the cheering was tremendous
When Colonel Aylett, becoming excited
and branching off somewhat from his pre-
pared Grafton, mentioned the flag
Of ha
arose, and shouted itself hoarse. AS soor
as the presidents letter was read, Genera
Burns jumped up and proposed three
cheers for the president of the United
States. These were given standing an6
General Sherman's letter, VIM. Stockton
few words welcomed them, and extended
the hospitality of the place. Col. Barnes
then asked that the town people and thu
Philadelphia brigade withdraw, and the.
then would assign Pickett's men to thei
quarters. Thus the first camp fire ever
held between the blue and the grey wa:
over.
Ats o'clock the meeting was called t,
order by John W. Wrazier, who said:
"Ladies, comrdes and friends, the higl
honor of calling this meeting to order ha
been assigned to me. This is, as you al
know, the first fraternal meeting of tn
blue and the grey that has taken place OF
these historic grounds, and, standing besld
the last resting place of the honored dead
who here gave the last full measure o
their devotion to the union, 1 say to 20,
that these fraternal meetings of the blu
and the grey will do more to Great
and maintain sincere and lasting fel
lowship among the people of the Who'll
nation than anything else that has take
place since the war for the preservation o
the union ended, land hope to see them,as
believe they will be, held all along tn
line from Gettysburg to Vicksburg.
now have the pleasure of presenting
Comrade W. S. Stockton, as presiding OF
ticer of this meeting, with the statemen
that to him, more than to any Other, l
due the credit of bringing it about"
CHAIRMAN STOCKTON.
Mr.. Stockton, upon assuming the chair
manship, said he thanked his comrade
for the honor conferred upon him, and
would take occasion simply to remar
that he believed what was done an
said here upon this fraternal gathering @
uue Dlue anu grey WOulu hdlh ITO
and gratifying era in our country'5 his
tory AS presiding officer, it wa
his pleasant duty to preser
Colonel Charles H. Barnes, presi
dent of the Philadelphia Brigade a.
sociation, who would extend soldier
welcome to foes in war, but warm, devote
and lasting friends in peace.
COLONEL BARNES
stepped forward and said:
'Fellow citizens and members c
Pickett's division of the Army of North
ern Virginia, an honorable and pleasin
duty has been assigned to be mine by tn
Philadelphia Brigade of the Second D
vision, and Second Corps of the Army g
the Potomac. This veteran brigade o
the Union army, composed of Sixt!
ninth, Seventy-frst, Seventy an
One hundred and sixth regiments o
pennsylvania volunteers, upon more tina
one occasion during the dark hours {
the republic, encountered yor
people in active warfare, and
fell to our lot to met
in hostile array and deadly conflict
what may truly be called the crisis of ii
battle of Gettysburg. We who hav
fought as the blue and the gray, can dis
cuss the past in the light of the presen
IA travalers who after nerilous iOurne,